Conor makes his mark to foil McCoy6th March 2013
Amateur rider Conor Shoemark made a dream first ever visit to Fontwell as he got the better of a certain Tony McCoy in a driving finish to the Cheltenham Non Runner No Bet At totepool.com Handicap Chase.
In fairness to the perennial champion, he was not given a huge amount of assistance from 11-4 favourite Chestnut Ben, who had been in front for a long time and wandered around the final tight bend of the figure-of-eight circuit. This allowed 19-year-old Shoemark the chance to sneak up McCoy's inside and finish three and three-quarter lengths clear for what had looked an improbable victory for Upton Mead (15-2) even approaching the final fence.
Shoemark, whose father and grandfather were both accomplished jockeys, is considered a bright prospect himself and is based with Fergal O'Brien. It was Shoemark's fourth winner of the season, and a third for Surrey trainer Kevin Tork, who has revitalised a horse with nothing to show for himself before the turn of the year.